Biohybrid silicon-organic materials architecture obtained using various structure-affecting agents

The article describes the immobilization of yeast cells Ogataea polymorpha VKM Y-2559 into organosilicon matrices based on tetraethoxysilane and dimethyldiethoxysilane using polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan as structure-affecting agents. The influence of the structure-affecting agent on the time of formation of the sol-gel capsule around the cells and on the morphology of the hybrid material was determined. The formation of organosilicon material was confirmed using IR spectroscopy. Using the method of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, it was proven for the first time that the structure-affecting agent is not incorporated into the structure of the organosilicon shell. Graphical Abstract Highlights Yeast Ogataea polymorpha VKM Y-2559 cells were encapsulated in matrices based on tetraethoxysilane and dimethyldiethoxysilane in combination with a structure-influencing agent. Encapsulated cells can be used as templates to create a material with controlled porosity for specific tasks. Optical microscopy was used to determine the time of formation of organosilicate matrices as a function of the template. The fastest matrix is formed with chitosan, the slowest with polyethylene glycol. The morphology of the obtained materials was determined by scanning electron microscopy. The formation of an organosilicon polymer was demonstrated by IR spectroscopy. The EDX method showed that the structure-affecting agent does not form covalent bonds with the organosilicate matrix, but envelops the biomaterial to prevent excessive compaction of the material. The results of the study confirm the ability of different structure-affecting agents to influence morphologies in the forming sol-gel. This is important for the formation of matrices with well-defined pores that appear when microorganisms are removed.